Reaching your spiritual goals

SPARTA — The Inner Journey may be just the place to visit if your New Year’s resolutions are failing you. Located at the Institute for Spiritual Development in Sparta, this shop has a variety of items tailored to helping people reach their spiritual goals.

The Institute for Spiritual Development (ISD) classifies itself as a metaphysical, non-denominational church. It has been in its present location, a former Methodist church dating back to 1876, for about 35 years. To understand The Inner Journey’s merchandise, some background on ISD is helpful.

“There is no dogma, no doctrine. We encourage spiritual growth through study of spirituality,” said Reverend Kathy Kerston, Director of ISD. “Most people come here for a deeper path to God.”

Somewhat traditional, ISD opens with the Lord’s Prayer and the church’s principles but also considers itself a healing church offering a weekly Wednesday night healing service. The church is influenced by the healing that was done in bible scriptures using “chi and prana” otherwise known as energy and life force to work through problems.

“Energy is open and directed to those in need — we are only a conduit,” said Kerston. “The body is a vehicle that houses the soul.”

Kerston is trained in Reiki healing, hypnotherapy and astrology. The Inner Journey’s manager Catherine Specht is a retired nurse and Reiki master. Reiki is defined by the International Center for Reiki Training as “a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing administered by laying on hands. It is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through people. If one's life force energy is low, then one is more likely to get sick or feel stress.”

The gift shop supports the church with a variety of items such as books, crystals, jewelry, essential oils and herbs such as sage. The many oils dating back to the infamous frankincense and myrrh are believed to have healing powers. The metaphysical art acts as a visual for meditation; the dried herb sage cleanses and purifies; the many books are on metaphysics and other spirituality topics. And the jewelry featured has no real intention but is mostly handmade and of artisan quality.

“All of the items support healing and spiritual growth,” said Specht. “The crystals offer different frequencies on what you need and what you are looking for. And all the prices are reasonable.

ISD also has a resale shop with gently used adult and children’s books, clothing and household items.